Ash Wednesday 2015

"Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return"  is said as ashes are applied in the form of a cross, to a Catholic's  forehead.   (Ashes in Hand Image © Ansis | Dreamstime.com)

The Lenten season in the Catholic church and others begins today 2/18/15  and concludes with a glorious celebration on Easter Sunday April 5, 2015.  It's intended to be a time (about 40 days)  of prayer, fasting, reflection and good works.

At today's Ash Wednesday's Masses, a portion of the First Reading" taken from Joel 2:12-14 reads as follows:

13 Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God.  For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness and relenting in punishment.

14 Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing.  Offerings and libations for the Lord, your God.*

*Scripture quotes are from The New American Bible (St. Joseph Edition), 1970